MORE than a thousand revellers will be welcomed through the gates of Heywood House this Saturday as the Wurzels headline Westbury’s first Countryville event.
The organisers are promising great food and music along with a range of exciting attractions including a kids’ area, a tug of war championship and a young’uns talent show run by the Westbury and Warminster Youth Club.
Countryville is a collaborative project run by Captain Events, GM3 Music, Westbury Festival and Westbury and Warminster Youth Club, which is raising much needed funds for their well-used service in both towns where weekly numbers often hit more than 50 young people.
Countryville opens at 12pm with Hit and Miss DJs kicking things off with some country bangers on the main lawn alongside country games run by Westbury Rotary, and there will also be a kids’ area, with a BBQ, Greek food, Pieminster Pies, pizza and loads more to feast upon. Once ticketholders have eaten lunch the young’uns got talent (under 14 years) competition will start at 1pm followed by the tug of war at 2pm.
Later on in the day, a roots session will showcase singer songwriters from around the UK which is the perfect time to head over to the cider tent and sample the country Pimms and grab a glass at the prosecco bar or grab a free bottle of water if you’re a designated driver.
The fiddle and guitar duo FFTP will be setting the mood in the middle of the afternoon before the UK’s best Dolly Parton tribute, Diamond Dolly, makes her way to the stage before The Wurzels close the show with The Combine Harvester, I Am a Cider Drinker, Drink Up Thy Zider and other hits.
Fred Beckett, chair of the Westbury and Warminster Youth Club said, “Heywood House is a stunning event location and we are extremely grateful to them for being so supportive. I am also quite excited about their beautiful orangery café being open on the day and the amazing coffee, sandwiches and coffee they serve up.”
Parking is onsite and will require a £3 donation to the Westbury and Warminster Youth Club, although event organisers are encouraging people to grab a taxi with friends or family. Disabled parking is available and access to this area is the first right after the main event entrance if you are driving from Westbury.
“We are asking people to avoid walking to the event as the pavement runs out before the event entrance and they will also have to cross the busy A350. Instead, we have set up a designated drop off area for taxis within the main parking area,” event organisers said.
Those not attending the event can expect slight delays on the A350 through the day and are advised to look for alternative routes. A detailed traffic management plan will be put in place after consultation with the relevant authorities.
Organisers have said that the event could not run without the “incredible support” of Chappell Associates, Hire Standards, Skip it Recycling, Pieminister, Prosec Consultancy and, of course, Heywood House.
Tickets can be purchased online in advance at Westburyfestival.org.uk. Tickets will not be available on the door.